Yes 2 year prorated - I think it is $48000.

After the last bid the most junior 747 FO is only about 25 from the bottom of the list - so if they get 2 more 747's there is a good chance of new hires holding it. A lot of guys didn't bid it because the lines weren't good and as more airframes come online the lines improve dramatically, so that may change things.

 

I'll add a couple of points:

The contract guarantees at least 12 days off. A junior pilot sitting what we call "OTL" can't move until at least 16 hours after first contact, so you may get an additional day or two off. Balance this with the possibility of a slight extension (max one day).

We have been understaffed for many months, so what folks are seeing as normal may improve as more pilots come on line. Remember that your mileage may vary.

Vacation is different than most other carriers. Is it better or worse? Take two weeks off in a month and you'll get seven additional days off. Total work for that month is 7-8 days. No, they won't drop a 14 day trip because it may touch a vacation day.

Flying is varied between passenger (mostly military) and cargo.

Is World a career airline? Yes, it can be. Your spouse or significant other will let you know. If they can't stand your being gone 2 weeks in a row (maybe longer), don't bother applying. If on the other hand, they like your being home 2 weeks in a row (round numbers), you'll like it. I've been here 14+ years and can't see myself flying for anyone else.

Management is talking about a small number in December and anywhere from 20-40 next year. Preferrental interviews for former ATA pilots.

 

I would like to present another way of putting it; If your spouse cannot stand your being home for 2 weeks in a row (round numbers), don't bother applying. If on the other hand, they like you being gone for 2 weeks (maybe longer), you'll like it!

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Anyway, I've been here for 3 years and like most places, there are pros and cons. However, (if I can help it) I don't want to go anywhere else either!

 

World Guys,

How does it all work? PBS I am familiar with. And they psoitive space you to where ever they need you. What cities do you stay in? How are the hotels? Overnights in out of base cities, how long can they be? Whats you longest trip?......etc..etc.....

Thanks

 

Not sure what relevance PBS has here. We don't use PBS.
There are bidlines which can be one block up to 19 days away flying pretty much anywhere in the world. We also have split bidlines meaning 2 or more trips. We have a guaranteed 12 days off but some lines have 16 or more days off.

We also have Online Reserve lines where you position from home and are on call at some online station - staying in nice hotels. The most Junior lines are usually Open Time Lines - you sit at home and the company calls you out when needed (16 hours minimum from call to the flight they book you on leaving your home airport to commercial to the city you will fly from).

What cities we stay in - could be anywhere, last year I did a 14 day trip which had a US layover, a german layover, Japan, Guam, Anchorage and then home.

Hotels- Generally very nice hotels Marriott, Hilton Hyatt etc - usually the US ones are the worst!

Overnights - no base cities - your home is your base so an overnight in your base is on a day off! Layovers from 12 hours minimum to 6 or 7 days overseas (unusual with our current lack of pilots)

Longest trip - 12 days off so 19 days unless you bid back to back - up to you. They can only make you stay out 19 days if assigned a trip, then they have to get you home (by the end of the 19th day)


I used to fly for a regional and much prefer this lifestyle - no commuting is huge for most of us. If the flight cancels you just call the company and it is their problem.

Hope that helps.

 

Pick me...Pick me!!! LOL

 

Homebasing is huge. Any airport in the lower 48 that has two or more carriers qualifies. You can change at any time. You commute on the company's dime and on your working days, not your days off. No stressing about weather or load factors.

The down side is that the company only wants to move as few times as required. That's why we work longer trips.

 

For comparison, here at brown a junior RSV can expect to work 15 days with 13 off in a 28 day bid period.

So that 13 days off may look better, but it is more like 11 when you factor in an ANC commute for the junior slugs. On your own time and on your own dime ...

Does homebasing make your airline tickets a taxable form of income ? It wouldn't matter to me, but folks like to bring that up as a negative. I personally think the pros outweigh the cons on this one. But maybe that's just me ...

 

For Homebasing they deduct $62.50 from each paycheck ($125/month). But in everyone eyes that $125 a month is worth every single penny to live where you want and not have to commute. When a ticket is purchased (either by us or travel dept) for travel to/from work it is charged on our individual corporate Amex cards.

 

No, it's not taxable and like OKBK said, we do pay $125 a month for it (no choice, BTW). I deduct the $125 per month off my taxes.

While it may not seem like a big deal, I've lived in snow country and missed flights with no penalty. I live in Orlando and I don't have to fight off the handful of pilots that are always trying to get a jumpseat to work.

The main thing is that working at World (or any other non sched 121 company) is different than working at a major/regional. Not better or worse, just different. Some adapt and some don't.